Communities across the county are preparing for “big days” this weekend.
And one has new leadership. The Suttons Bay Art Festival began as a regional art venue over 40 years ago, with a group of local artists wanting to display their art, and they watched it evolve over time into one of the premiere art venues in the Midwest, attracting artists from the region and beyond.
The festival original founders turned over the big operation to the Crooked Tree Arts Association last fall.
Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. more than 100 artists will converge on marina park for the first day. Sunday, hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Winners of a poster contest are Johnny Camacho of Traverse City, in the adult category and a Suttons Bay Elementary student’s work was tops among other students. The child’s name was not released as permission was needed from his/her parents.
Camacho’s work will be printed on commemorative T-shirts, which will be available for sale.
Saturday, there is a kids art tent where young artists will be selling their wares.
And early Sunday before the festival starts, there will be a pancake breakfast hosted by the former organizers.
At the north end of the peninsula, the Northport Lions Club Drive-In, Fly-in Pancake Breakfast is Saturday, Aug. 1, from 8 a.m. to noon at Woolsey Airport.
Lions Club members will serve pancakes, sausage, coffee, water and punch. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for kids, 5 to 12 years. Kids 4 and under eat without charge.
There will be a car exhibit, the Northport Community Band, private aircrafts arriving and departing.
Woolsey Airport is located on East Woolsey Lake Road or County Road 629, north of the Village of Northport.
The 16th annual Port Oneida Run will take place on Saturday, a fundraising event hosted by the non-profit Sleeping Bear Forever (formerly Preserve Historic Sleeping Bear).
Three races are offered including the Homesteaders Hilly Half Marathon and the Tiller’s 10k which go up past Pyramid Point trailhead, and the Farmers Flat and Fast 5k. The Kid’s Schoolhouse Dash is also being brought back this year with participant treats from Cherry Republic.
The only race of its kind, the courses wind through the beautiful scenery of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore’s Port Oneida Rural Historic District.
The Old Settlers Picnic Association will host the 133rd Old Settlers Picnic Sunday.
The first event on Aug. 2, 1893 was held to honor two elderly pioneers — Kasson Freeman and John Fisher. High attendance at this first picnic inspired the organizers to hold one annually.
In 1905, they formed the Old Settlers Picnic Association (OSPA) and began raising funds to purchase a permanent picnic ground. The present Old Settlers Park reflects two purchases. In 1912, with funds from the Association, Leelanau County bought a five-acre parcel adjacent to the Methodist Episcopal Church, which was built in 1896. In 1917, the Association funded the county’s purchase of the church, with the Methodists stipulating that the church “shall not be used for dancing.”
The day begins at 10:30 a.m. with a service in the Old Settlers Chapel, followed by a barbecue lunch prepared by the Empire Masonic Lodge. The menu includes roast beef, cowboy beans and fresh sweet corn, served until 3 p.m.
There will be live music; kids’ games and prizes; a shingle mill demonstration; silent auction; and bake sale.
Also included will be the election of OSPA officers and cash prizes will be awarded to the youngest person in attendance; oldest woman; oldest man; longest married and shortest married couples.
Old Settlers Picnic Grounds is located on the southeast shore of big Glen Lake.
